Sorry there wasn't much to report on thursday besides being sure to stay well behind Hermine. It was making landfall late thursday so we did short cruise from near Vero Beach to Melbourne, a trip of under 30 miles. Rainy and windy off and on the entire day. Got generator under control with amazing ex navy engineer that created diagrams of how it works. Home made chicken tacos for lunch then out at marina for dinner.
Woke up to beautiful morning in Melbourne with plans to get as close as possible to Daytona, an 80 mile trip. I started morning in engine room, before coffee, topping off water in the 14 deep cycle batteries and " sticking" the engines which I learned was pulling the oil dipsticks and topping off oil. They each took their first quart today and I decided they were my girls and named them Penelope and Suzie. Next job was to rearrange lines and fenders following pump out and getting underway. Was only 8:30am and I was already tired.
Once underway I had coffee and realized was getting a bit lost processing all the natural beauty surrounding me, the opportunity to fulfill a long term dream and feeling all full of pride when captain informed me that as a Coast Guard Documented vessel we were expected to fly our flag at the stern.
The water: the boat with all the systems of a miniature city, flying a flag. Had I become ruler of my own weird, beautiful little kingdom, and what rights and responsibilities might that entail?
OK! Getting gouchy, need to eat, nearly 10:30am. Smoked fish, avocado, tomato, peach and triscuits, ahh- feeling much better.
We have not seen another boat on the ICW with us for 2 days, a bridge tender told us we were his first boat since wednesday. Guess the weather keeping folks home. We, however founf ourselves in a rain squall today with 30mph winds and 50 mph wind gusts. Anchored for a bit, checked radar then took of in some sloppy weather that steadily improved for a beautiful evening. Got our grill working well so had burgers, veggies and mexican street corn all on the grill. When I asked Captain about a strange sound I was hearing he informed me it was the dolphins breathing. Dolphins, Mannatees, fabulous bird watching.
Good Night
VERY interesting to read. Check out the site daily looking for updates on the blog, excited when I find a new one. Realize that there is so much going on during each day & that by the end, you've gotta be mentally wiped out, so I understand that your
ReplyDeleteblogging is limited. Interesting all the little ancillary bits of info from your Capt!